Helambu Micro-Hydropower
The project site is located 70 kilometers north of Kathmandu University. The village is at latitude 27°57’50” N to 27°57’53’’N, longitude 85°31’21’’E to 85°31’26’’E and at an elevation of 2350 meters.
The site has been ravaged by Melamchi River flooding in 2021, which destroyed bridges and other critical infrastructure. This resulted in locals being deprived of basic amenities such as transportation and electricity. Likewise, newly built model school has also been effected by damages to infrastructures, relying on firewood as an energy source, and compelled to administer archaic learning methods instead of digital interactive learning methods. This creates reliance on biomass as a primary energy generation source for which has low efficiency and is detrimental to environment.
Proposed GridVille System:
- All electricity generated at this site will be supplied to Helambu Model School.
- Our system can be integrated with the possible refurbishment of equipment from previously
installed hydropower.
Hydraulic Detail:
In dry season, the water flow is greater than 0.1 cubic meter per second which is sufficient criteria for required waterflow for our system.
Objectives:
- To promote clean and environment friendly energy technology.
- To increase energy efficiency for usage for domestic purposes by providing electricity from
isolated Micro Hydropower Plant.
Expected Outcome:
- Development of an efficient Micro Hydropower Plant for use in the Ichowk community by
employment of capacitor bank1 (15% Efficiency increase) alongside recuperating 10.86% T&D
loss incurred when power is drawn from national grid.
- Adaptation of energy source for replacement of biomass as primary energy source. For
example in household cooking where electric cooking (Efficiency 50%-85%) surpasses
traditional cookers using solid biomass 3 (Efficiency 35%-45%).
- Building technical capacity in Micro Hydropower Systems at community level.
Socio-Economic Outcomes:
- Utilization of electricity in Helambu Awasiya School.
- Water pumping for irrigation.
- Operation of Rice mill for the community.
- Utilization of community halls and Gumbas.